Does anyone else have crap genetics?

LadyTalulah
LadyTalulah Posts: 174 Member
in Motivation and Support
We all know genetics play a big role in weight loss/muscle gain. I can definitely say I've got crappy genetics because I'm not losing fat where I would like! Unfortunately, where fat comes off first/last in weight loss is something that's beyond our control...
When I started really working out and eating clean, I wasn't considered overweight. But I did have larger hips, breasts and quite a bit around around the stomach.
Since I started working out and eating clean, I've gone from a full C to a reasonable A boob-wise! At the moment you could hardly say that I have a flat stomach, but it does look better than before... My already small waist has gotten smaller and my hips haven't changed too much... My upper arms seem to be clinging on to the fat whilst lower arms are stick thin!! Haha I'm not really complaining (Okay, maybe a bit) but it just seems so unfair :P I'm hoping it will just even out as I progress!
Anyone else have crap genetics like this? And does anyone know if I'll be flat-chested before I get a flat stomach, or will everything even out?
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Replies

  • phars73
    phars73 Posts: 4
    I can't say I agree with "crap" genes. It would be boring if we all looked like barbie. That being said I have recently decided to start eating clean.and I am glad to hear it works. Try to look in the mirror everyday and tell yourself positive things. It sounds like you are really down on yourself and that is not healthy. Best of luck :)
  • DustyMarie506
    DustyMarie506 Posts: 65
    Okay, I admit, I laughed when I read your post. In no ways am I laughing at you. All I could think was, "Thank God, there's someone else..."

    My situation is similar. Both sides of my family have been "blessed" with larger hips, thighs, and backside area. Fortunately, we aren't too bad off in the chest area either! Like you, I have a small waist. When I lose weight, it seems like my upper body gets smaller while my lower body just sticks around going, "Yeah, right..."

    Believe me, I know it is an extremely frustrating situation. I'll never stop working to make my body what I want it to be. But that being said, I am also learning to embrace my curves. Sure, I want to get them far, far more toned than they are currently, but I also know that I am unique from everyone else. So are you. Learn to embrace what you have. In no way does it mean you stop pushing, but attitude changes everything.

    Like me, there are certain so-called "problem areas" that may call for a little more attention, but being healthy is really the key. If you feel healthy, allow that to translate to the way you see your body (a lesson I'm still teaching to myself!). Good luck on your journey!
  • craziwrld
    craziwrld Posts: 43 Member
    I'm the same way, except when I was skinny before my pregnancies my boobs were an average B cup. I was you trademark par shape, actually still am even afte putting on 83lbs, but now I am down 30 of those lbs. So far my boobs haven't shrunk much, I thinkI went from a small D to a large C. My waist and stomach are where I have lost the most.
    So far. Though I have a feeling my boobs will prob start shrinking soon. Right now my problem is seeing all the stretch marks that used to be stretched out and not seen. I'm sure my boobs will bother me at some point along the line lol. Just remember that you are doing this to be healthy. We will always have something about us we don't like, it's human nature, but be proud, and if it bothers you enough and you have the money and want to fix it, then go for it. Wedding present maybe? Lol
  • establishingaplace
    establishingaplace Posts: 301 Member
    Stop calling them "crap" genetics and just focus on being the best YOU.

    Things might even out more as you lose more weight. But they might not. You just have to deal with what you've got unless you plan to invest in surgery.
  • cookiekrunch
    cookiekrunch Posts: 65 Member
    I used "crappy genetics" as my excuse for years. Stop letting it be a crutch and let it go. Embrace the new you wherever the weight loss shows. Others will still notice you have shedded the pounds evern in your "problem areas". Most of us will never truly be satisfied with how we look anyway.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    small waist and big hips =/= crap genetics. It sounds pretty ideal to me..... just remember that no-one looks like an airbrushed magazine model, not even the actual models, otherwise their pics wouldn't be airbrushed.

    be happy with yourself the way you are, and strive to be the best version of yourself that you can be.

    BTW I have a thick waist and no butt to speak of, well I have a butt now but only because I worked my *kitten* off (or should I say worked my *kitten* on :laugh: ) doing barbell squats and deadlifts. You can shape some aspects of your body with the right kinds of exercise, but only up to a point. Genetics plays a big role and some people do find it easier to lose fat than others, but I haven't met anyone who says "I just totally love the way my body stores fat, it comes off exactly where I want it to in the exact order I want it to" - i.e. no-one has perfect genetics and no-one has a perfect body, otherwise there'd be no jobs for the people who airbrush magazine photos...
  • JackiLean
    JackiLean Posts: 62 Member
    Um, everyone's all "be happy with who you are" and stuff...

    I have a HUGE butt. When I gain or lose weight, that's where it goes/comes from. Fine. Whatever. The biggest problem is that it doesn't take much to make it get bigger, but I have to kill myself to make it smaller.

    Then there's my little sister. Great body. Only works out for muscle definition sometimes. Eats whatever she wants. NEVER GAINS A SINGLE POUND.

    AND her hair is really shiny.

    I got the short stick for sure.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    We all know genetics play a big role in weight loss/muscle gain. I can definitely say I've got crappy genetics because I'm not losing fat where I would like!

    Rubbish. What about if you 'would like' to lose fat in a different area, and your body was losing fat there? Would that all of a sudden mean that your same body now has good genetics?
  • clareyoung80
    clareyoung80 Posts: 177 Member
    I personally don't believe in 'crap genes'. Everyone makes the best of what they have been given, and they are always given something fantastic. It's just normally, most people don't want that, they want something else.

    I have a pear shape, so I've lost most of the weight in places I don't care about (shoulders, chest etc... I mean, thanks, but I don't care about skinny shoulders!!) and I still have plenty of weight in my thighs, hips, butt and belly.

    But, I guess, as much as I may be down on my teeny boobs, I do get to have a great butt at some point (needs a lot of work though, but there's plenty of fat there to re-shape!)
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Actually I have very GOOD genes for survival. Unfortunately not so good for staying thin and todays definition of beauty. I also carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    Actually I have very GOOD genes for survival. Unfortunately not so good for staying thin and todays definition of beauty. I also carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs.

    :drinker: very true

    we're all the product of millions of years of evolutionary success... we all have excellent genetics. obesity is just the result of us getting too good at technology and food acquisition.
  • navyrigger46
    navyrigger46 Posts: 1,301 Member
    Nice excuse OP, but I hate to break it to you, you're not special, you're just not working as hard as you could. Stop looking for reasons as to why you can't be better, and just put in the work TO be better.

    Rigger
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    Please don't begin a statement of pure conjecture with "We all know."
  • levitateme
    levitateme Posts: 999 Member
    I don't really know why everyone is attacking the OP. She's not making excuses, what she's saying is correct.

    The areas of the body where you store fat and subsequently, the areas you LOSE fat from are all decided by your genetic makeup. This is why we are constantly saying "you can't spot reduce fat" because you can't. Your body is unique, and where it stores fat is predetermined by DINGDINGDING your genes. This is why some people have double chins for a long time even after losing 20 lbs, and some others have stubborn belly fat that they can't lose, while others may lose evenly all over.

    I have small boobs, small hips, small legs. I store fat in my midsection/batwings/lovehandles/upper arms. That sucks, and it's because of my genes. It's not because I'm not "working hard enough", I can't lose fat only from my bra bulge. It will come off with time, but I can still be annoyed by it.
  • a_stronger_me13
    a_stronger_me13 Posts: 812 Member
    I guess I have crap genetics then too. Dammit, I'll never be pretty.

    Seriously, I'm a flat chested pear with most of my fat being stored in my thighs and my *kitten*. Will I ever be perfect? No. But I can't control where my body decides to distribute or lose fat, but I can make sure that there's muscle there when I lose the fat. And I will lose the fat. But you can't change your body shape. There's nothing wrong with it either. There isn't one "perfect" body. It isn't "crap genetics", it's called "we're all different".

    And to whoever said their sister can eat whatever she wants and not gain a pound, that's garbage. Unless you're with her 24/7, you don't really know how much she's eating and how much she's moving.
  • sbarella
    sbarella Posts: 713 Member
    we're all the product of millions of years of evolutionary success... we all have excellent genetics.
    Now, THAT is putting things into perspective. :drinker:
  • NewLIFEstyle4ME
    NewLIFEstyle4ME Posts: 4,440 Member
    No, I have fabulous genetics...couldn't ask for better genes--my issue is I can tend to be gluttonous, slothful/lazy, entitled and spoiled rotten about not doing the hard work it takes to get me where I want to be spiritually, mentally, and especially physically. That's my issue--cr$p genes--not so much--I wish I could blame it something/someone other than myself-it's my not consistently doing what it takes to be all that I can and should be that has me looking and feeling the way I do--but that's just me, of course. :flowerforyou:
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Seriously, I'm a flat chested pear with most of my fat being stored in my thighs and my *kitten*. Will I ever be perfect? No. But I can't control where my body decides to distribute or lose fat, but I can make sure that there's muscle there when I lose the fat. And I will lose the fat. But you can't change your body shape. There's nothing wrong with it either. There isn't one "perfect" body. It isn't "crap genetics", it's called "we're all different".

    Pretty much this. I look 20% body fat from the waist up, and 30% from the waist down. Meh, better than 35% all over. I'll take it.
  • Kitship
    Kitship Posts: 579 Member
    Just keep going. Once you're in a healthy place, everything will be balanced out.
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    Whatever... bad genetics is just a cop out. Do the best you can and be better than yesterday.
  • Lu_LeatherEagle
    Lu_LeatherEagle Posts: 9 Member
    I do know what you mean...and laughed to myself as I read, because I think the same thing.

    Although I am led to believe it isn't entirely crap genes, it just means we have to be a bit more creative with our weight lifting plan. I am on a mission to squat my way to less hips and thighs.

    No, I will never be an ectomorph but I'm gonna damn well try to be the most narrow pear I know.

    Good luck.

    Lu
  • levitateme
    levitateme Posts: 999 Member
    No, I have fabulous genetics...couldn't ask for better genes--my issue is I can tend to be gluttonous, slothful/lazy, entitled and spoiled rotten about not doing the hard work it takes to get me where I want to be spiritually, mentally, and especially physically. That's my issue--cr$p genes--not so much--I wish I could blame it something/someone other than myself-my not consistently doing what it takes to be all that I can and should be--but that's just me, of course. :flowerforyou:

    So can you explain to me why I can bring my HR from 140 to 190 in less than 1 minute but still have stubborn fat that squishes beneath my bra strap? I work very hard and will continue to do so and am in excellent cardiovascular health, but I am hanging onto fat in certain spots. This is caused by my genes, who aren't always the kindest friends to me. I'm not blaming my genes as an excuse for lack of effort on my own part, but because they ARE to blame for the locations of the fat deposits on my body.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I don't really know why everyone is attacking the OP. She's not making excuses, what she's saying is correct.

    Who's attacking the OP? We're all sharing opinions.... having a different opinion and saying so =/= attacking
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    I think I can say with 100% certainty, I got the worst of all qualities from both sides of the family, mostly PCOS related.. I carry all my fat in my lower stomach. It's not just annoying, it literally prevents me from buying 90% of pants. There is at least a 2-3 size difference between the legs/hips of a pant and the stomach size for me. Excess body hair (my stomach, neck, chest and arms that I have to shave daily and grows back in hours), cystic acne which has led to a mutilated looking, scarred face. I get most of this from my paternal grandmother, some from my mom's side.

    I've heard everything from insults to pity. I've actually had people ask me if I was a man, if I was BORN a man, or if my face was burned in an accident or fire..I was born 100% woman, I'm positive. I've had 'family and friends' who tell me how sorry they feel for me but I'm so used to it at this point, it doesn't really bother me.. It's not a 'cop out' or lack of trying that makes me look this way. I can lose as much weight as I want, that isn't going to change my genes.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    Oh... when you said 'crap genetics', I thought you were talking about a propensity for heart disease or breast/ovarian cancer. Or maybe genes that make it likely that you'll suffer any number of autoimmune conditions, thinning bones or osteoarthritis. Because personally... yeah, I do have that kind of crap genetics.

    I couldn't care less about the size of my boobs. Small breasts are not even crap genetics. Breast size is just a physical appearance trait that has absolutely no bearing on your health.

    Shaking my head... and sorry if this comes off harsh, but I just got some bad health news that *is* due to my 'crap genetics'. I'm feeling pretty touchy, and to hear someone complaining about the horrors of 'crap genes' causing A-cups... well, I'm just not up for that today.

    Make the best of what you have, and if small breasts are the worst of it, be very thankful.
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    No, I have fabulous genetics...couldn't ask for better genes--my issue is I can tend to be gluttonous, slothful/lazy, entitled and spoiled rotten about not doing the hard work it takes to get me where I want to be spiritually, mentally, and especially physically. That's my issue--cr$p genes--not so much--I wish I could blame it something/someone other than myself-my not consistently doing what it takes to be all that I can and should be--but that's just me, of course. :flowerforyou:

    So can you explain to me why I can bring my HR from 140 to 190 in less than 1 minute but still have stubborn fat that squishes beneath my bra strap? I work very hard and will continue to do so and am in excellent cardiovascular health, but I am hanging onto fat in certain spots. This is caused by my genes, who aren't always the kindest friends to me. I'm not blaming my genes as an excuse for lack of effort on my own part, but because they ARE to blame for the locations of the fat deposits on my body.

    If you hadn't done some consistent overeating at some point in your life, you wouldn't have fat that squishes beneath your bra strap, "crap genetics" or otherwise.
  • NewLIFEstyle4ME
    NewLIFEstyle4ME Posts: 4,440 Member
    No, I have fabulous genetics...couldn't ask for better genes--my issue is I can tend to be gluttonous, slothful/lazy, entitled and spoiled rotten about not doing the hard work it takes to get me where I want to be spiritually, mentally, and especially physically. That's my issue--cr$p genes--not so much--I wish I could blame it something/someone other than myself-my not consistently doing what it takes to be all that I can and should be--but that's just me, of course. :flowerforyou:

    So can you explain to me why I can bring my HR from 140 to 190 in less than 1 minute but still have stubborn fat that squishes beneath my bra strap? I work very hard and will continue to do so and am in excellent cardiovascular health, but I am hanging onto fat in certain spots. This is caused by my genes, who aren't always the kindest friends to me. I'm not blaming my genes as an excuse for lack of effort on my own part, but because they ARE to blame for the locations of the fat deposits on my body.

    No, I can't explain it...but I can say that many times I/people "think" we are eating, drinking and working out as hard or as productive as we can and we simply aren't--we think we are, but we're not. Example...if I'm not measuring my foods--if I'm "eyeing" them, no matter how much I think I'm eating X amount of cals--I could very well be over-estimating how much I'm eating. If I'm not using one of those fancy thingys like a HRM (heart-rate monitor, fitbit or one of those other do-dads), no matter how much I think I'm burning X amount of cals--I'm not.

    Your genes very well maybe the reasons you're failing at accomplishing your goals...but they are NOT mine, which is why I ended my post stating "That's my issue--cr$p genes--not so much--I wish I could blame it something/someone other than myself-my not consistently doing what it takes to be all that I can and should be--but that's just me, of course."
  • levitateme
    levitateme Posts: 999 Member
    I don't really know why everyone is attacking the OP. She's not making excuses, what she's saying is correct.

    Who's attacking the OP? We're all sharing opinions.... having a different opinion and saying so =/= attacking

    Arguing on the internet is like screaming into an empty room, but I'll bite. Telling her that "she's just not working hard enough" is attacking her. She was explaining how her body stores fat and how it's frustrating to her and she got back several replies that were basically "Hey just work harder, stop making excuses". No matter how hard we all work, no one can spot reduce fat and how we store fat is because of our genetics.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    No, I have fabulous genetics...couldn't ask for better genes--my issue is I can tend to be gluttonous, slothful/lazy, entitled and spoiled rotten about not doing the hard work it takes to get me where I want to be spiritually, mentally, and especially physically. That's my issue--cr$p genes--not so much--I wish I could blame it something/someone other than myself-my not consistently doing what it takes to be all that I can and should be--but that's just me, of course. :flowerforyou:

    So can you explain to me why I can bring my HR from 140 to 190 in less than 1 minute but still have stubborn fat that squishes beneath my bra strap? I work very hard and will continue to do so and am in excellent cardiovascular health, but I am hanging onto fat in certain spots. This is caused by my genes, who aren't always the kindest friends to me. I'm not blaming my genes as an excuse for lack of effort on my own part, but because they ARE to blame for the locations of the fat deposits on my body.

    because stubborn fat is what enabled your ancestors to survive food shortages, and you're descended from all the survivors. Stubborn fat =/= crap genes. Stubborn fat = excellent genetics. Modern society just has some weird priorities. Obesity is the result of us being too good at acquiring food and developing technology that allows us to be sedentary. And small stubborn fat deposits that you describe are not obesity or a danger to your health. You're not morbidly obese, sounds like you have a body fat percentage in the healthy range, and you're being too harsh with yourself. Nothing wrong with wanting to be more cut if that's what you prefer, but finding it hard to get as cut as you'd like to be =/= crap genetics.
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    we're all the product of millions of years of evolutionary success... we all have excellent genetics.

    Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books:

    “Consider the fact that for 3.8 billion years, a period of time older than the Earth's mountains and rivers and oceans, every one of your forebears on both sides has been attractive enough to find a mate, healthy enough to reproduce, and sufficiently blessed by fate and circumstances to live long enough to do so. Not one of your pertinent ancestors was squashed, devoured, drowned, starved, stranded, stuck fast, untimely wounded, or otherwise deflected from its life's quest of delivering a tiny charge of genetic material to the right partner at the right moment in order to perpetuate the only possible sequence of hereditary combinations that could result -- eventually, astoundingly, and all too briefly -- in you.”
    ― Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything

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